New publication on invasive species a first for Seychelles

25-January-2016

A first book on invasive species has been published in Seychelles.

Entitled ‘Invasive Alien Species in Seychelles’, the 384-page book has been written by Gerard Rocamora and Elvina Henriette. It has been published by Publications Scientifiques du Muséum which is based in Paris.

Dr Rocamora and Dr Henriette are both well known environment specialists.

The book was officially launched on Friday afternoon by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley, in a short ceremony at the Guy Morel Institute at Ma Joie.

The launch took place in the presence of the authors and representatives of organisations which have supported the project and partnered its publication. These include the University of Seychelles (UniSey), department of environment, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Island Conservation Society (ICS).

Minister Dogley, who has himself prefaced the book, has described it as one of the best published in Seychelles and a major achievement, as specialists and researchers will now not have to start from zero but will have a publication to refer to.

He further remarked that the book is essential for people in environment, as he says getting scientific information in Seychelles has always been a major challenge.

He added that it provides essential information on how to deal with invasive species that have conquered the Seychelles landscape.

“The only places that are not touched by invasive species are those where men have not been yet. Everything is about the economy. People bring in invasive plants to get money or otherwise to try and beautify their environment,” the minister said.

Congratulating the authors, Minister Dogley underlined the work done in the eradication of invasive species in Seychelles.

He however stressed that a lot of work is still to be done. He gave the example of the hairy caterpillar which he says is hazardous to our health, ecosystem and economy and of which species has not been identified.

“The battle goes on,” he insisted.

Mr Dogley concluded that he would now like to see another book written on how to restore places where alien species have been eliminated, as “this is the next challenge”.

Dr Rocamora and Dr Henriette have said their book has come out after a “very long period of intense work”.

They explained that the idea was first to produce a booklet, but the booklet has come into a book which they say gives justice to Seychelles’ vast experience in elimination of invasive species and puts into perspective the work of a whole nation which has been battling against those species.

‘Invasive Alien Species in Seychelles has been written in two parts: The first focuses on how to eliminate invasive species and why, while the second deals with identification and management of priority species.